"Slaves' mass grave is grim reminder of Brazil's racist legacy"

Racism contributed to action against Sudanese refugees
Earlier Friday, at least 20 Sudanese refugees were killed when thousands of riot police surrounded the camp and used water cannon on the refugees. Egypt's interior ministry says the deaths were caused by a stampede, but reporters on the scene said police beat the refugees — including women and children — with sticks and truncheons.

Theft of black Santa, graffiti signs of racism, observers say
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Vandals once again have struck the home where a black Santa Claus was on display in the yard.

Canada: Black community has deeper issues

Slaves' mass grave is grim reminder of Brazil's racist legacy
Mr Guimaraes and his wife, Ana de la Merced, had unearthed what is thought to be one of the world's largest slave burial grounds, a mass grave where thousands of corpses were abandoned by Brazil's slave traders in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Bono aid is making Africa sick
There are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can’t think of one at the moment. If Christmas, season of sob stories, has turned me into Scrooge, I recognise the Dickensian counterpart of Paul Hewson — who calls himself “Bono” — as Mrs Jellyby in Bleak House.

Nigeria: Former President Says 3rd Term is Dangerous
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has joined calls for President Olusegun Obasanjo to leave office when his term expires in 2007.

Ancient Egypt 'respected dwarfs'
The ancient Egyptians respected dwarfs, and did not see them as having a physical handicap, according to a study by US researchers.
A team from Georgetown University Hospital looked at biological remains and artistic evidence of dwarfism in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians worshipped dwarf gods, and many dwarfs held positions of authority in households.

Haitian officials say elections to be postponed a fourth time
Haitian electoral officials, plagued by delays and disorganisation, said yesterday that national elections set for January 8 would have to be postponed for a fourth time.

Egyptians kill 25 Sudanese refugees outside UN offices
WOMEN AND CHILDREN are among 25 Sudanese refugees killed when Egyptian riot police violently stormed a squatter camp in Cairo. The international group Human Rights Watch are leading a chorus of protests over Egypt’s actions.

No justification for such violence and loss of life
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events early today in Cairo,” High Commissioner António Guterres said in Geneva (UNHRO: 30 December 2005). “Although we still do not have all of the details or a clear picture of what transpired, violence left several people dead and injured. There is no justification for such violence and loss of life. This is a terrible tragedy and our condolences go to all the families of those who died and to the injured.”

Massacre of the Sudanese in Cairo
The Egyptian government’s behaviour with the Sudanese refugees involves ignorance and disdain for the lives of people in addition to its racism. It is a disgraceful stand that we disavow as Arabs and Muslims and as humans. Such inhumane behaviour should not pass without accountability.

Analyst Says Racism,Xenophobic May Have Contributed to Action Against Sudanese Protesters
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the fatal confrontation in Cairo between Egyptian police and Sudanese refugees is a terrible and unjustifiable tragedy. In a statement released Friday, Mr. Annan said he profoundly regrets the situation was not resolved peacefully.

The Trans Sahara Counter-Terrorism Initiative: U.S. takes terror fight to Africa's 'Wild West'
The U.S. government will spend $500 million over five years on an expanded program to secure a vast new front in its global war on terrorism -- the Sahara Desert. But critics say the region is not a terrorist zone, as some senior U.S. military officers assert, and they warn that a heavy-handed military and social campaign that reinforces authoritarian regimes in North and West Africa could fuel radicalism where it scarcely exists.

Cameroonians Have Mixed Feelings Over Debt Relief
Cameroon is hoping to qualify for partial debt relief under a program sponsored by the International Monetary Fund for heavily indebted countries. However, the process has sparked debate over required reforms, and whether debt forgiveness will change anything in the long run.

Pentagon propaganda program orders soldiers to promote Iraq war while home on leave

Critical Flaw Detected in Windows Metafile

Beijing journalists stage walkout
The walkout rasied the stakes in the ongoing battle between Chinese journalists and their political masters, who are keen to keep control over the written word. Chinese newspapers and magazines remain entirely in state hands, and in spite of an apparent relaxation of controls in recent years, analysts fear there is a growing authoritarian approach on the government's part.

Another WMF (Windows Major Foul-Up)
Opinion: How bad is the new WMF bug? Research suggests that the WMF format has been officially ruined.

Looking for Pope Joan
Some Historians Say Clues Exist That a Woman Served as Pope in the Ninth Century

Wiretapped Illegally, and Impeachably
George W. Bush as the New Richard M. Nixon: Both Wiretapped Illegally, and Impeachably; Both Claimed That a President May Violate Congress' Laws to Protect National Security

Tentative contract a setback for New York City transit workers
The tentative settlement announced by Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 President Roger Toussaint Tuesday night represents a significant setback not only for New York City’s 34,000 bus and subway workers who struck the city's transit system for two-and-a-half days last week, but for the working class as a whole.

Bolivia and ALBA
The decisive numbers of Evo Morales' election victory in South America's poorest country give him the legitimacy he needs to redistribute Bolivia's wealth in favour of the impoverished and excluded majority. But he faces enormous pressure from foreign corporations and international financial instituions to continue promoting superficial economic growth for the benefit of a small elite. Of all the progressive leaders elected in Latin America in recent years only Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has successfully managed that challenge, defeating savage resistance from the Venezuelan oligarchy and their US and European backers.